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Politicians’ Briefing

Author: eMB
Date: 01 Jul 2007

The West Anglia Routes Group hosted an event in Parliament on Monday 9 July 2007 in order to inform Lords, Members of Parliament and Councillors from along the line about:

  • The critical need to increase capacity on the West Anglia route as the impact of new housing and jobs become evident.
  • The pressing timescales for investment decisions, particularly in a year of a Comprehensive Spending Review, a Network Rail Route Utilisation Strategy and a Department for Transport 30 year rail plan.
  • Ways in which local politicians can usefully demonstrate their support for the Group’s campaign and help to secure improvements for users of the West Anglia route across London and the East of England.

There was good attendance with representatives from a wide range of public and private sector organisations with an interest in these key rail routes.  The Briefing was hosted by Mark Prisk MP, Hertford and Stortford and chaired by Cllr George Meehan, Leader of LB Haringey.

Following presentations and a lively question and answer session, Cllr Meehan summed up by making it clear that to do nothing is not an option. There is agreement along the line that investment is needed, now people need to let Network Rail and DfT know. This needs to happen soon and work should start on firming up proposals and funding requirements. The main opportunities for the near future are:

  • Late Summer ’07 – Network Rail Greater Anglia RUS finalised
  • Autumn ’07 – Govt. confirm Comprehensive Spending Review ‘07
  • October ’07 – Network Rail publish their Business Plan
  • By January ’07 – Secretary of State for Transport will publish a plan and timetable for the introduction of additional rolling stock.

Following the successful Briefing points that the Group will be putting forward include:

  • The West Anglia Routes should be a national priority if growth is to be supported and sustained.
  • New and more carriages are required to allow train lengthening and high capacity trains by 2009, along with funding for platform lengthening.
  • Commitment to 4 tracking with immediate funding to commence the process of safeguarding, planning and project development. 

We would welcome support for these proposals and making the case to Network Rail and DfT.  Contact us for more details.

 

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